Sheet separating device



May 26, 1970 w. E. WHITE SHEET SEPARATING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1968 WILL/AM E. WHITE INVENTOR.

AGENT Y May 26, 1970 w. E. WHITE SHEET SEPARATING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1968 WILL/AM E WH/TE INVENTOR. Sgl

AGENT y 1970 w. E. WHITE 3,514,100

SHEET SEPARATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 29, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 W/LL/AM 5 WHITE INVENTOR.

AGE/VT United States Patent O 3,514,100 SHEET SEPARATING DEVICE William Edward White, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 701,312 Int. Cl. B65h 29/58 US. Cl. 271-64 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for separating two sheets which emerge as a composite from between the diverging surfaces of two movable members with the leading edge of one sheet preceding that of the other. The movable members are driven in synchronism and separation of the sheets is effected by movement of a cam-actuated separating member in such timed relation to emergence of the sheets that an end of the separating member sequentially engages, respectively, the advance portion of the one sheet and the leading edge of the other sheet to effect initial separation thereof. After the end has been engaged by the leading edge of said other sheet, the separating member is moved into an intermediate position in which continuous separation of the sheets is effected.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device for effecting separation of superimposed sheets, and more particularly for separating two sheets which emerge as a composite from between a pair of rotating rolls by means of a member which is actuated cyclically and independently of any action by either or both sheets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In many types of sheethandling apparatus, such as photocopying machines, reproducing equipment, printing presses, etc., it is often necessary to separate one sheet from another or one sheet from a group or stack of sheets. Separation of superimposed sheets is usually accomplished by pneumatic or suction devices which cause a sheet to adhere thereto and be separated from another sheet or sheets. The prior art also discloses that it is well known to use a movable deflector element which is actuated by contact with and the flexing action of a movable sheet to effect separation of a pair of superimposed sheets. While the latter device provides a relatively simple arrangement for separating such sheets, it cannot be used to advantage in instances where the superimposed sheets are maintained in intimate relation due to the type of material comprising the sheets, a static charge which tends to hold the sheets in such intimate contact, or sheets that tend to adhere to one another due to their condition, that is, being wet or damp, slightly tacky, etc.

It is in connection with the latter type of superimposed sheets that the present invention is concerned, that is, separation of a pair of sheets that, in effect, form a composite or unit arrangement upon emergence from between a pair of rolls that are in engagement and under pressure. Further, under certain conditions it is necessary that separation of such superimposed sheets be effected as soon as possible after mergence from a pair of diverging surfaces which are urged together under pressure in order that the sheets do not become bonded together. In this instance, it is necessary that the end of a separating member extend as close as possible to the line of divergence of the surfaces in order to effect immediate separation of the sheets upon emergence from the surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the invention is to provide a device for effecting positive separation of a pair of superimposed and intimately contacting sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that effects separation of a pair of superimposed sheets immediately after emergence of the sheets from between a pair of diverging movable surfaces.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for separating a pair of superimposed sheets that is actuated cyclically and independently of any action by either sheet or both sheets.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a device for effecting efficient separation of a pair of superimposed sheets that are not readily separable by any flexing action of one sheet relative to the other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by the description which follows.

The above-mentioned objects of the invention are attained by a separating device comprising a movable member having an end that extends in close proximity to the line of divergence of a pair of movable surfaces and from which a pair of sheets emerge as a composite with the leading edge of one sheet preceding that of the other sheet. The separating member is actuated by a cam that is driven in synchronism with the movement of the sheets. The cam actuates the separating member from a position in which it is in contact with the diverging surface engaging the one sheet toward the other surface and in such timed relation to emergence of the sheets that the end engages the advance portion of the one sheet and the leading edge of the other sheet for effecting a separation of the sheets. After the initial separation of the sheets has been accomplished, the cam then moves the end of the separating member toward the other diverging surface and maintains it in a position intermediate the diverging surfaces for effecting continuous separation of the sheets. As pointed out hereinabove and de scribed in more detail hereinafter, it is essential that the end of the separating member extend as closely as possible to the line of divergence of the surfaces to effect separation of the sheets, because the sheets can adhere to one another completely if separation thereof is effected at some line quite distant from the line of divergence of the surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention and showing the relationship of the sheet separating devices to the path of movement of the sheets;

FIGS. 2-4 are side elevational views showing the parts of the apparatus directly connected with the sheet feeding and separating mechanism and with the sheets shown in different locations relative to their path of travel;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing in detail the coupling between the cams for actuating the sheet separating mechanisms and the drive means; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view showing the manner in which the drive means is coupled to the sheet feeding and sheet separating mechanisms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1 is a copying device in which an image on a carrier sheet C is transferred as a latent image to a receiver sheet R by bringing the two sheets into intimate contact under heat and pressure.

These sheets are then separated and the receiver sheet R continues through the apparatus and is brought into contact under pressure with a sheet D carrying a developer that transfers to the image on the receiver sheet R to produce a visual image thereon. The receiver sheet R and developer sheet D are then separated, the developer sheet D being reusable for making additional copies.

Since sheets C and R are brought together under heat and pressure, the sheets are not readily separable without some mechanical means for effecting an actual separation. The path through which the receiver sheet R is moved is defined by a pair of spaced, parallel rolls and 11 and an intermediate roll 12 which engages both rolls 10 and 11. Roll 10 has a heating element 13 positioned adjacent thereto for providing sufficient heat to effect the transfer of the image from sheet C to sheet R. Roll 12 is a metal roll covered with a hard rubber composition which will withstand the heat transferred thereto by roll 10 and which has a high Durometer measurement. Roll 11 is also a metallic roll. The ends of shafts 14 and 15 of rolls 10 and 11 are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings carried by the end walls (not shown) of the apparatus. The ends of shaft 16 of roll 12 are also mounted in bearings that are slidably mounted in suitable slots in the end walls (not shown) for vertical movement, the roll 12 normally engaging rolls 10 and 11 with a pressure due to its own weight. The roll 12 is brought into a pressure-engaging relationship with the rolls 10 and 11 by means of a pair of levers 17, each of said levers being pivotally mounted on a stud 18 in each end Wall. Each of levers 17 has an arm 19 that is in engagement with an eccentric 20 and an arm 21 that is connected through a spring 22 to an end of the shaft 16, see FIG. 1. Such an arrangement is provided at each end of shaft 16 so that the pressure applied by roll 12 to rolls 10 and 11 is uniform throughout both lines of contact of the rolls, when eccentric 20 is rotated as described hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier sheet C and receiver sheet R are positioned relative to roll 10 with the leading edge of sheet R preceding that of sheet C to provide an advance portion designated by A. The roll 10 moves the sheets toward the line of contact between rolls 10 and 12 and at this line the sheets are pressed together. Due to the composition of sheet R, the heat of roll 10 and the pressure applied by roll 12, a latent image corresponding to the image on sheet C is formed on the interface of sheet R. Since the sheets C and R are subjected to heat and pressure, the two sheets, in effect, become a composite and can be readily separated only if such separation is eifected before the sheets have cooled; otherwise, separation cannot be accomplished. For this reason, it is essential that separation be effected as soon as possible after emergence of the sheets from the line of divergence of the surfaces or the bite of rolls 10 and 12. After separation, sheet R is directed around roll 12 and into the bite of rolls 11 and 12, whereupon it is brought into contact with the developer sheet D.

The developer sheet D is initially maintained in a position as shown in FIG. 1 by a stop member 30 that is fixed on a rod 31 which has one end fixed to a release member 90, see FIGS. 2 and 4, and the other end slidably mounted in an end wall (not shown), so that members 30 and 90 can be moved as a unit in a horizontal direction for a purpose to be described hereinafter. When member 30 is moved to the right with release member 90, the nose 36 thereof releases sheet D so that the leading edge thereof precedes that of sheet R into the bite of rolls 11 and 12. The sheets D and R then emerge from the diverging surfaces or the bite of rolls 11 and 12, and due to the developer on sheet D, there is also a tendency for these sheets to adhere together. Upon separation, the sheet D continues in a path defined by a pair of substantially concentric cylindrical members 32 and 33 which form a guideway 34 through which sheet D is moved to be positioned against member 30 for reuse with the next receiver sheet introduced into the apparatus. A drive roll 35 serves to move the sheet D into the position shown in FIG. 1 in which the leading edge abuts nose 36 of member 30. As shown in FIG. 1, suitable guide members are provided relative to rolls 10, 11 and 12m establish the path of movement and to maintain sheet R in such path. The foregoing description provides no part of the present invention other than to show a particular type of apparatus for which the invention is particularly suited.

With reference to FIGS. 24 a separating device 40 is shown in relationship to the bite of rolls 10 and 12 and a second separating device 50 is shown in relationship to the bite of rolls 11 and 12. Separating device 40 comprises a member 41 that is mounted on a freely rotatable rod 42 that is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring (not shown) and an actuating arm 43 that is maintained in engagement with the peripheral surface of a cam 44 due to the bias on rod 42. The cam 44 is fixed on shaft 45 in spaced relation to a plate cam 46 which is also fixed to shaft 45, see FIG. 5. It will be noted from FIG. 2 that the member 41 extends into the bite of rolls 10 and 12 and its free end is in close proximity to the line of contact of said rolls, the member 41 being normally maintained in engagement with the peripheral surface of roll 10 by the high portion 47 of cam 44.

The sheet separating mechanism 50 comprises a member 51 that is mounted on a freely rotatable rod 52 that is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring (not shown) and an actuating arm 53 that is aligned with the peripheral surface of cam 46. The member 51 extends into the bite of rolls 11 and 12 and its free end is in close proximity to the line of contact of said rolls and is normally maintained in contact with the peripheral surface of roll 12 due to the bias on rod 52.

The drive means 60, see FIG. 6, comprises a motor 61 having a pulley 62 fixed to its shaft 63. The pulley 62 is connected by a belt 64 to a pulley 65 on the shaft 15 of roll 11. A sprocket 66, which is also fixed to shaft 15, is connected by a chain 67 to a sprocket 68 that is freely rotatable on stub shaft 69 which is integral with cam 46. The sprocket 68 is associated with a friction clutch 70 for driving the cam shaft 45, the clutch comprising a friction plate 71 arranged between sprocket 68 and cam 46 and a friction plate 72 arranged between sprocket 68 and a washer 73, the plate 72 being urged toward sprocket 68 by a spring 83 and the lock nuts 84 which threadably engage the threaded portion 85 of the stub shaft 69. A gear 74 on shaft 15 engages a gear 75 on shaft 76 to drive the eccentric 20 in a manner to be described hereinafter. The rotation of roll 11 is transmitted to rolls 10 and 12 by the contacting relationship of the rolls. As a result of the aforementioned drive means 60, the rolls 10, 11 and 12 as Well as the eccentric 20 and the cams 44 and 46 are driven in synchronism.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the cam 46 has a peripheral actuating portion 80- and is provided on its one face with a cam groove 81. The release member is slidably mounted adjacent one side of the apparatus and carries a pin 91 which engages the slot 81 in cam 46. The member 90 also carries the member 30, as described above, and is provided at its right-hand end with a cut-out 92 which forms a shoulder 93 and a projection 94. The shoulder 93 and projection 94 serve as stops for a spring clutch 95 on shaft 76 for limiting the movement of eccentric 20 to a half revolution at the beginning and end of each cycle as described hereinafter. The relationship of member 90 to cam 46 is best shown in FIG. 5.

In a standby condition, the motor 61 rotates shaft 15 continuously, the same continuous motion being imparted to rolls 10, 11 and 12. The cams 44, 46 are held against rotation due to pin 91 engaging the radial portion 96 of groove 81. Likewise, the shaft 76 is held against rotation by shoulder 94 on member 90 which engages the end 97 of spring clutch 95. Also, in a standby condition the member 30 is in a position in which its nose 36 prevents movement of the sheet D toward the bite of rolls 11 and 12' by drive roll 35.

Before a cycle of operation is started, the sheets C and R are placed in superimposed relation with the leading edge of sheet R preceding that of sheet C, as shown in FIG. 1, and the sheets are then moved by roll toward the bite of rolls 10 and 12. Simultaneously with the positioning of the sheets C and R for entry into the apparatus, the member 90 is moved to the right against the action of spring 98. With this movement pin 91 is moved along portion 96 and into a position relative to groove 81 so that the sprocket 68 is free to drive shaft 45 through clutch 70, thereby rotating the cams 44 and 46. The movement of member 90 to the right also releases the end 97 of spring clutch 95 to permit rotation of the shaft 76, thereby causing eccentric to move lever 17 in a counterclockwise direction to draw roll 12 down and against rolls 10 and 11 to apply the proper pressure at the lines of contact of the rolls. As the sheets C and R emerge from the bite of rolls 10 and 12, the advance portion A is in a position substantially as shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the spring clutch 95 is limited to one half revolution because end 97 has engaged the shoulder 94 which was positioned in the path of end 97 with the initial movement of member 90 and release of clutch 95. Also, since pin 91 is maintained in the groove 81 due to rotation of cam 46, the member 90 is maintained in the position into which it was moved and, hence, is held in this posi tion until pin 91 again reaches the radial portion 96 of groove 81. Very shortly after the movement of member 90, the arm 43 will fall off the high portion 47 of cam 44 and since rod 42 is spring biased, it will move member 41 toward the roller 12 and into engagement with the advance portion A of sheet R, see FIG. 3. At the same time, the sheet D will be moved by roll into the bite of rolls 11 and 12 ahead of the leading edge of sheet R, because with movement of member 90, member 30 will also be moved and the nose 36 will be moved therewith to release sheet D. Further, the arm 53 of member 51 is, at this point, just about ready to be contacted by the portion 80 of cam 46. With further movement of cam 46, the portion 80 of cam 46 contacts arm 53 and causes the member 51 to be moved away from the roll 12 and toward the roll 11 for engaging the advance portion of the sheet D.

With reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the member 51 is in engagement with sheet D and sheet R has reached a point where it encircles roll 12 and is being separated from sheet D by member 51. Also, the cam 44 has now moved member 41 away from sheet R and toward roll 10 to an intermediate position for separating sheets C and R. With further movement of cam 46, the arm 53 rides off of portion '80 and member 51 moves toward roll 12 due to the bias on rod 52 and into contact with sheet R continuing to separate sheet R from sheet D. The members 41 and 51 remain in these positions until the pin 91 reaches the radial portion 96 of groove 81 at which time spring 98 causes member 90 to move to the left. With this movement of member 90, rotation of cams 44 and 46 is arrested due to pin 91 engaging the radial portion 96 and shoulder 93 is removed from end 97 so that clutch 95 can impart another half revolution to shaft 76, thereby allowing shaft 76 to be rotated until end 97 abuts the extension 94 and eccentric 20 has released lever 17 so that roll 12 is no longer engaging rolls 10 and 11 under the image producing pressure. The member 30 is also moved with member 90 into its original position in which nose 36 blocks any movement of the sheet D into the bite of rolls 11 and 12 until member 90 is again actuated. All of the parts are then in their standby relationships as shown in FIG. 2. The separating devices and have been found to very effectually separate two superimposed sheets which could not be separated if it were necessary to rely on the flexing action of one or both sheets.

With such an arrangement of separating mechanisms as disclosed hereinabove, a very efficient and automatic system effects separation of the two sheets brought into engagement with a single sheet at different and spaced apart stations.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for separating two sheets emerging as a composite from between the diverging surfaces of a pair of movable members with the leading edge of one sheet preceding that of the other sheet, comprising:

drive means coupled to at least one of said pairs of members for moving said members in synchronism;

a separating member arranged relative to said diverging surfaces and having an end in close proximity to the line of divergence of said surfaces and normally engaging the one of said diverging surfaces in contact with said other sheet;

means for releasably coupling said drive means to said separating member; and

means responsive to release of said drive means for moving said separating member toward the other of said diverging surfaces in such timed relation to emergence of said sheets that said end engages the advance portion of said one sheet and the leading edge of said other sheet for effecting separation thereof.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said separating member comprises a pivotally mounted lever having an actuating arm and said moving means comprises a rotatable cam for engaging said arm.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moving means, after initial separation of said sheets, causes movement of said end toward said .one diverging surface and into a position intermediate said diverging surfaces for effecting continuous separation of said sheets.

4. A device for separating a first sheet from a second sheet and subsequently from a third sheet, said first sheet being movable through a path established by a pair of spaced, rotatable rolls and an intermediate roll engaging said pair of rolls, said first sheet and said second sheet emerging as a composite from the bite of one of said pair of rolls and said intermediate roll with the leading edge of said first sheet preceding that of said second sheet, and said first sheet and said third sheet emerging as a composite from the bite of the other of said pair of rolls and said intermediate roll with the leading edge of said third sheet preceding that of said first sheet, comprising in combination with said rolls;

drive means coupled to at least one of said rolls for rotating said rolls in synchronism;

a first movable member arranged relative to the side of said one roll and said intermediate roll from which said first and second sheets emerge and having an end extending into close proximity of the bite of said one roll and said intermediate roll and normally engaging said one roll;

a second movable member arranged relative to the side of said other roll and said intermediate roll from which said first and third sheets emerge and having an end extending into close proximity of the bite of said other roll and said intermediate roll and normally engaging said intermediate roll;

means coupled to said drive means and to said first and second members for moving the latter in such timed relation to emergence of said first and second sheets and of said first and third sheets from the bite of their respective rolls that each of said ends engages the advance portion of said first sheet and said third sheet, respectively, and the leading edge of said second sheet and of said first sheet, respectively, for effecting continuous separation thereof.

5. The device in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said first and second movable members comprises a pivotally mounted lever having an actuating arm and said moving means comprises at least one rotatable cam for engaging said arms.

6. The device in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said first and second movable members comprises a pivotally mounted lever having an actuating arm and said moving means comprises a pair of synchronously rotatable cams, one of said cams being associated with said first movable member and the other cam being associated with said second movable member.

7. The device in accordance With claim 6 wherein said cams, after initial separation of said sheets, move said 8 members into a position relative to their respective rolls for effecting continuous separation of said second and third sheets from said first sheet.

8. The device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said cam associated with said first movable member, after initial separation of said sheets, moves the end of said first movable member toward said one roll and maintains it in an intermediate position for effecting continuous separation of said first and second sheets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,162,437 12/1964 Poland 27164 RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner 

